LAUGHING GULL. 139 



This change, however, was apparent by the 5th of March, became daily 

 stronger, and was perfected by the 15th of that month. A few exceptions 

 occurred among the numbers procured at these periods, but the generality of 

 the birds were as above described. 



Whilst at Great Egg Harbour, in May 1S29, shortly after my return from 

 England, I found this species breeding in great numbers on the margins of a 

 vast salt marsh, bordering the sea-shore, though separated from the Atlantic 

 by a long and narrow island. About sunrise every morning, an immense 

 number of these birds would rise in the air, as if by common consent, and 

 wing their way across the land, probably intent on reaching the lower shores 

 of the Delaware river, or indeed farther towards the head waters of Chesa- 

 peake Bay. They formed themselves into long straggling lines, following 

 each other singly, at the distance of a few yards. About an hour before 

 sunset, the same birds were seen returning in an extended front, now all 

 silent, although in the morning their cries were incessant, and lasted until 

 they were out of sight. On arriving at the breeding-ground, they imme- 

 diately settled upon their nests. On a few occasions, when it rained and 

 blew hard, the numbers that left the nests were comparatively few, and 

 those, as I thought, mostly males. Instead of travelling high, as they were 

 wont to do in fair and calm weather, they skimmed closely over the land, 

 contending with the wind with surprising pertinacity, and successfully too. 

 At such times they were also quite silent. I now and then observed some 

 of them whilst on wing, and at a considerable height, suddenly check their 

 course, as if to examine some object below; but on none of these occasions 

 did I see one attempt to alight, for it soon resumed its wonted course, and 

 rejoined its companions. 



Now, reader, though I am growing old, I yet feel desirous of acquiring 

 knowledge regarding the habits of our birds, and should much like to learn 

 from you the reasons why these Gulls went off in lines from their breeding- 

 grounds, and returned in an extended front? Was it, in the latter case, 

 because they were afraid of passing their nests unknowingly; or, in the 

 former, under the necessity of following an experienced leader, who, under 

 the stimulus of an empty maw, readily undertook the office, but who, like 

 many other bon-vivants, became in the evening too dull to be of use to his 

 companions? 



This species breeds, according to the latitude, from the 1st of March to 

 the middle of June; and I have thought that on the Tortuga Keys, it 

 produced two broods each season. In New Jersey, and farther to the 

 eastward, the nest resembles that of the Ring-billed Gull, or Common 

 American Gull, Larus zonorhynchus, being formed of dried sea-weeds and 

 land plants, two and sometimes three inches high, with a regular rounded 



